There are music festivals. There are film festivals. There are climbing and biking and yoga festivals. But there鈥檚 only one .

The Denver event blends everything that makes outdoor festivals so fun, and the result is much, much better than the sum of its parts. That鈥檚 why the inaugural 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival drew almost 20,000 people. It鈥檚 also why the 2025 event鈥擬ay 31 and June 1鈥攑romises to be even bigger. Celebrating outdoor adventure, community, and music and featuring an incredible lineup headlined by Khruangbin and Lord Huron, the 2025 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival is a gift to remember forever. are on sale now.

And to make this the ultimate gift, pair it with some essential festival gear. Here are our top ten picks for upgrading any outdoor festival experience.

Sun Protection

REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie

UPF 50-plus fabric, plus a hood and long sleeves for full coverage, make this supersoft shirt the choice for all-day sun. The polyester/spandex blend wicks moisture and dries quickly, so it鈥檚 perfect for running, hiking, and festival-inspired dancing.

Hydration

CamelBak Hydrobak Light Hydration Pack

What鈥檚 good for biking鈥攈ands-free hydration鈥攁lso turns out to be very good for festival roaming. Featuring a 1.5-liter reservoir and just enough room for snacks and essentials, plus an internal organizer for tools, this lightweight, low-profile pack is ideal for cycling and weekend fun of all kinds.

Sandals

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals

Who doesn鈥檛 need a good pair of sandals? Midsoles made with EVA foam give the Hurricane lightweight cushioning, hook-and-loop closures make for easy on-off, grippy tread affords superior traction, and recycled polyester webbing is durable and quick-dry. Bonus: a peppermint-based anti-odor treatment.

Blanket

Nomadix Festival Blanket

This blanket packs down small for easy carrying, but spread it out and you get 72×60 inches of soft, durable fabric to lounge on. (It鈥檚 also slip-resistant, which is great for yoga.) It鈥檚 made with Global Recycle Standard鈥揷ertified postconsumer recycled plastic. GRS also ensures good working conditions for factory labor and minimizes harmful environmental and chemical impacts.

Versatile Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

One thing that鈥檚 certain about the 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival? You鈥檒l want to stay until the last song. Stay comfortable day and night with these convertible pants, which have side zips that let you switch from shorts to pants and back without removing your shoes. Plus they have UPF 50+ sun protection, breathable and water-repellent fabric, and plenty of pockets.

Sunglasses

goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses

The 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival is still a long way off, but you don鈥檛 need a meteorologist to tell you this: Odds are good it will be sunny, as Colorado usually is in early summer. These classic shades are a must, with 100% UVA and UVB protection, glare-reducing lenses, and a no-slip fit.

Festival Bag

REI Co-op Stuff Travel Waist Pack

Wear this compact bag on your waist or slung over your shoulder. Either way, the minimalist pack holds your essentials and keeps them dry with a nonfluorinated durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. Eco-bonus: Solid colors are made with recycled ripstop nylon.

Hat

Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel Hat

Everyone needs a ball cap. Why this one? It has UPF 50-plus sun protection, is made with 100% recycled polyester, and looks great on everyone.

Rain Jacket

REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket

Want to give the gift of more time outdoors? Put a bow on this 2.5-layer recycled ripstop nylon shell. It鈥檚 waterproof and breathable, windproof up to 60 mph, and packs down into its own pocket. This gift says it鈥檚 always time to go outside. Eco-bonus: The nonfluorinated durable water-repellent (DWR) finish helps moisture bead up on the surface.

Sunscreen

Thinksport Clear Zinc SPF 50 Sunscreen

Here鈥檚 a stocking stuffer for everyone on your list: effective sunscreen that doesn鈥檛 contain harmful chemicals. Whether you鈥檙e spending a weekend at an outdoor festival or just heading outside, you鈥檒l appreciate this non-nano sunscreen, which effectively blocks UVA and UVB rays, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is not greasy.

is the nation’s largest consumer co-op, with a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.鈥�

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As a new mom, I found my first Mother鈥檚 Day to be a letdown.

I had naively thought that it would be a day where all my anxieties and responsibilities would fall away. But that isn鈥檛 your reality when you have a screaming baby who wants to be held only by you. Despite my family鈥檚 earnest efforts, each gift felt like a tiny bandage on the gaping wound that was my maternal overwhelm.

So I decided to start doing Mother鈥檚 Day differently. If this is intended as a day for moms, I thought, then I鈥檓 going to do what I want to do.

So I decided to start doing Mother鈥檚 Day differently. If this is intended as a day for moms, I thought, then I鈥檓 going to do what I want to do. In all honesty, that was to put my 鈥渕om hat鈥� down and just be Sarah. I also talked to other mamas of young children who know a thing or two about how they and others like to feel supported. Here are their mindful mother鈥檚 Day gift ideas.

10 Mindful Mother鈥檚 Day Gift Ideas

1. Give Her Whatever She Wants (Seriously, Whatever)

鈥淎sk yourself what you need at that moment, and then go for it,鈥� suggests , who runs a digital mom鈥檚 circle called at . She鈥檚 also, clearly, a strong advocate for moms getting their needs met. But this also puts the onus on the mom to know what she needs, which can be another responsibility at times.

Misjan suggests that if you鈥檙e the one trying to indulge someone else, there鈥檚 an easy way to make that easier for moms. 鈥淥ffer a few no-strings-attached, guilt-free hours for whatever that mama wants to do. Maybe it鈥檚 a walk, going to take a movement class, get a massage, have a coffee in peace and quiet, or binge-watch a TV show.鈥�

2. Home Spa Day

A mom of four, , author of and COO and co-founder of the business mindset consultancy firm Be Courageous, has received quite a few Mother鈥檚 Day gifts. One of her favorite celebrations to date was the year her kids created a home spa retreat for her.

鈥淭hey provided services such as massage, hair washing, and pedicure. I even got a charcuterie plate to munch on during my pedicure service,鈥� says Hermans. 鈥淭he customer service was top notch!鈥�

Just make certain cleaning up afterward is part of the services.

3. Wellness Getaway

It鈥檚 easy for Mother鈥檚 Day to become all about our kids. , mom of two small children and owner of in Los Angeles, decided to give herself the greatest Mother鈥檚 Day gift ideas she鈥檚 experienced to date鈥攁 weekend with a friend at a California-based retreat center.

鈥淚t was one of the first times I鈥檇 left my youngest overnight and honestly, it was wonderful,鈥� says Varshney. 鈥淚 needed that time to replenish鈥搕o not be responsible for anyone鈥檚 meals and have all my meals prepared for me, to soak in the baths overlooking the ocean, to read a book. I respect myself for actually choosing to do something for myself that weekend.鈥�

4. Alone Time

Understanding that there is financial privilege in being able to attend a retreat, Varshney also suggests the partner take the kids somewhere for the entire day. 鈥淲hen do moms ever get to chill in their own house? Even something as simple as being able to sleep in is a gift,鈥� says Varshney.

, a single mom of two school-age girls and author of , says what a lot of mothers want more than gifts is an opportunity to completely prioritize themselves and get a break from the mental load of parenting鈥攅ven if just for a day. She also prefers to celebrate Mother鈥檚 Day solo.

鈥淚 typically opt for a kid-free mother鈥檚 day when I can. I don鈥檛 have a ton of support, but I definitely lean on the community on this day specifically,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o most of my highlights from past Mother鈥檚 Days have been solo dates and silence!鈥�

5. An Overnight Indulgence at a Hotel

Yoga therapist and teacher is currently in the 鈥渢hick of it鈥� (as we mothers like to say) with a six- and two-year-old. She jokes, 鈥淚f you are a mom of littles, and anything like me, all you really want is time away from your roommates.鈥�

She suggests that you book her a hotel room for the Saturday before Mother鈥檚 Day, drop her off, and leave her alone. 鈥淟et her bathe and eat in peace. Let her sleep in, wake up, and go back to sleep,鈥� says Jenkins. 鈥楾hen on Sunday, pick her up with a bouquet of her favorite flowers and take her to brunch or a homemade picnic lunch outdoors. Mom will feel so renewed.鈥�

6. Celebrate with Community

鈥淥ne of the reasons modern motherhood can feel so stressful is the isolation that comes with a lack of community,鈥� says Varshney. She explains that some moms prefer connecting with others rather than escaping to connect with themselves.

鈥淗ow about organizing a get-together with a few close family friends?鈥� says Varshney. 鈥淭hat way the kids can run around with each other and the grown-ups can have some time to connect. Extra points if someone besides the mom does the organizing.鈥�

is a single mom of two, a self-care specialist, and best-selling author of . She likes to inspire others toward self-care found through community. Some of her more memorable experiences have been hosting walks, barbecues, and other mom-focused events where the entire family is welcome. She suggests including a mini photo shoot of mom, kids, and partner since, as McFaden explains, 鈥渕oms are usually the ones taking the photos.鈥�

7. Quiet Downtime with Family

and scholar spent a quiet and restful Mother鈥檚 Day at home last year in Harlem with her husband and son, Noble, who was just under one year old. To her, it was perfect.

Yoga and meditation teacher , who leads prenatal classes for the , also prefers quiet and simple Mother鈥檚 Days in which she has space for her nourishing routines. That typically looks like meditation and coffee and a studio yoga class followed by a long shower followed by time with her two young children and husband.

鈥淭he little ordinary moments are actually luxuries when we slow down and appreciate them,鈥� says Narula.

7. Get 国产吃瓜黑料

鈥淢y favorite Mother鈥檚 Day is definitely the time we took a walk to a local waterfall with our dogs and the whole family climbed the rocks to adventure up the side of the falls,鈥� says , speaker, author, and yoga culture advocate. 鈥淚 love going to the nursery and getting a plant or flowers that we can grow from seed and nurture together. Or going on a walk in nature and sharing fun things we notice,鈥� says Barkataki.

Hermans also has an affinity for drawing inspiration from the outdoors. 鈥淥ne year, my kids created bouquets of gathered flowers from the yard and neighborhood. Another time, the older kids watched the younger kids for a few hours so that my husband and I could do something together鈥攚e went for a hike. It was an absolute treat.鈥�

8. Focused Family Outings

鈥淭he best present is always presence, to be honest!鈥� says yoga and Pilates instructor .

She encourages families to ditch the screens and do activities as a group, such as puzzles and board games or getting outside and moving together. Her favorite way to celebrate includes quality connection with her three boys, including 鈥渕aking breakfast together, doing some yoga poses, taking a walk on the beach, and snuggling on the couch watching a movie.鈥�

9. Handmade Anything

One of the most memorable Mother鈥檚 Day gift ideas that experienced was when her kindergarten daughter presented her with 鈥渢he most adorable artwork. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like a present that鈥檚 made with love by my child,鈥� says the holistic wellness coach for working mothers and head of marketing at Tasty Directives.

It鈥檚 not an uncommon sentiment. 鈥淚 am a sucker for handmade gifts! I will gladly accept the tissue paper flowers,鈥� laughs , owner of .

10. Recognize the Other Moms in Your Life

For years, Espinosa had found it difficult to celebrate the many amazing mothers in her life while she was trying to conceive and struggling with miscarriages. 鈥淢y first Mothers Day was so memorable,鈥� says Espinosa. 鈥淲hen I look at photos of the first year I look so tired, yet I was so happy finally celebrating a holiday as a mother myself.鈥�

Her Mother鈥檚 Day tradition is to remind the fellow strong moms in her life that they are appreciated and supported. She usually opts for a phone call or some act of service. If a mother is bereaved and does not have a child earthside, you may still want to send her flowers or a card.

And of course, our most impactful mother-figures are not always the people who birthed us. Barkataki reminds us that there are many alternative forms of caregiving and encourages us to 鈥渇ocus on the role and connection rather than the title.鈥�

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I gave birth to my first kid one week before Mother鈥檚 Day last year. Had you asked me then what I wanted for Mother鈥檚 Day, I would have said a pok茅 bowl and a Mexican lager (or two or three)鈥攖he things I had been craving most after nine months of deprivation.

As for gifts that would make motherhood easier, I had no clue what those might be. According to the Instagram posts I was being fed at the time, that list would have included a trendy leather diaper bag, aromatherapy candles or bath bombs, and a jumbo Stanley water bottle.

Now, 11 months into my mom gig, I know exactly what I would have put on my first Mother鈥檚 Day wish list: gear to help me and baby get outdoors. What made my first months of motherhood both easier and more pleasurable was doing what I loved to do pre-baby鈥攚ith my new family. That included walks and then eventually hikes, road trips to see friends and family, SUP days at our local lake, and new activities like stroller-blading (more on that below).

Getting out the door with an infant and keeping them comfortable, happy, and fed is no small feat, even when you鈥檙e just headed out on errands. Throw in an outdoor activity, and you best be prepared. To any new, outdoorsy moms making their first Mother鈥檚 Day wish list鈥攐r to the thoughtful partners, friends, and family members wondering what to get the new mom in their lives鈥攈ere are six products that made outdoor adventures with an infant not only manageable, but fun.

Some of these items are admittedly pricey, but in my experience, well worth the investment. Mom hack: You can find some of these bigger ticket items in almost-new condition on sites like , , , and Facebook Marketplace.

At a Glance

When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

A Baby Carrier Built for Hiking

Ergobaby Omni 360 Mesh

There are a plethora of baby carrier options on the market鈥攆rom simple wraps best suited to toting infants around the house to versatile and burly carriers designed for more active pursuits. The Ergobaby Omni 360 Mesh falls into the second category.

This one-size-fits-all carrier accommodates a newborn from 7 pounds to a toddler of 45 pounds and has four carry modes (front-facing inward; front-facing outward; hip-carry; and back-carry). It also features mesh panels in the front for better breathability鈥攌ey when you鈥檙e essentially carrying around a little furnace.

I started using the Omni 360 when our baby was around three weeks old with an infant insert (at 7 pounds and 19.5 inches long, he seemed to drown in the carrier without the insert). Getting the carrier on by yourself is a little cumbersome given the two shoulder straps, one back strap, and the main hip belt you have to buckle and cinch, but once you get it set up for your baby and your body, it becomes more intuitive. After one week of use, I had no issues getting it on and placing baby in it by myself.

And like a good backpack, all those straps and attachment points exist to take the load off your body, making the Omni 360 a great option for longer walks and hikes. I regularly carried our baby in it for 4-plus-mile hikes and experienced no pressure points, load shifting, or uncomfortable chafing.

An All-Terrain Stroller to Get Off the Beaten Path

Thule Urban Glide

We weren鈥檛 expecting to use the Thule Urban Glide before our kiddo turned six months old, since that鈥檚 when he鈥檇 be big enough to safely sit in the forward-facing, upright position. But this stroller is so much nicer to push around than the other stroller we own that we bought the Thule car seat adapter and used the Urban Glide with an infant car seat from day one. (You can also buy a bassinet attachment for this stroller.)

The three large tires鈥攊ncluding a front swivel wheel that locks out鈥攏avigate uneven sidewalks, gravel and dirt trails, and grassy parks like a dream. While the Urban Glide is not as aerodynamic as the , which Thule markets as their jogging stroller, this model can also be used for jogging. It can even be used for stroller-blading鈥攁ka, rollerblading as you push the stroller鈥攁n activity that I鈥檓 going to take credit for inventing. Keep the speeds low and use the integrated twist hand break in the handle when going downhill, and you鈥檒l have no issue keeping the stroller safely under control.

The only downsides to the Thule Urban Glide: price and bulk. It鈥檚 an investment, but we found ours secondhand and in great condition for $400 on Facebook Marketplace. It鈥檚 also heavy and doesn鈥檛 pack down as well as other, more streamlined strollers. The Urban Glide takes up the majority of trunk space in our Hyundai Santa Fe and doesn鈥檛 leave much room for other gear or dogs. On big road trips, we鈥檝e started popping the wheels off (easy enough) and stashing the stroller in our roof box.

A Portable Sound Machine for Sound Sleep Anywhere

Roar Sound Machine + Speaker

Measuring roughly 5-by-2-by-1-inches, this rugged, waterproof sound machine-and-speaker-in-one is about the size of two decks of cards stacked side by side. This makes it much smaller than your average sound machine and even many portable, bluetooth speakers on the market. However, its diminutive size belies its power.

The Roar can blast noise鈥攅ither one of the three integrated sounds (brown noise, waves, or rain) or any other sound of your choosing when connected to a phone via bluetooth.听It also has an impressive 20-plus-hour battery life. But parents be warned: Do not let this thing run out of battery while in use. On a few occasions we went too long between charges, only to have our son woken up in the middle of the night by a loud, female voice declaring repeatedly that the device had 鈥渓ow battery.鈥� Unfortunately, there鈥檚 no way to determine how much battery life remains鈥攖here鈥檚 no battery life indicator on the device, so you just have to be proactive in charging.

That鈥檚 the biggest downside to the Roar Sound Machine: it doesn鈥檛 have a user-friendly control panel. It only features five buttons (power, play/skip to next sound, and two volume buttons), and these rubber buttons are black, blending in with the rest of the speaker. This makes it almost impossible to see the control panel in low light (as in a darkened bedroom or tent). I鈥檝e learned to set the Roar to our desired settings before turning off lights to avoid fumbling with the controls in the dark.

Despite these shortcomings, the Roar Sound Machine + Speaker has become a must-pack piece of baby gear for any overnight trip or outing that will require a nap away from home.

A Thermos to Make Formula on the Go

Purist Maker 10 oz

听

I used the 10-ounce Maker for coffee and tea long before I had a kid, but now I use it regularly to make my son鈥檚 formula on the go. We learned early on that our kid was finicky about the temperature of his bottled milk. He liked it much warmer than room temperature, which proved challenging on high-alpine hikes in the colder months. At first, we鈥檇 premake his bottles at home the morning of our adventure, only to discover that by the time we fed him on-the-go, the milk had cooled too much. We finally wisened up and started pre-filling his bottles with formula and carrying hot water in the Purist Maker on our hikes, so we could serve warm milk on demand.

We love the small size of the 10-ounce Maker because it doesn鈥檛 take up much pack space, yet it holds enough hot water that we can mix it with regular water to fill two 6-ounce bottles of formula. Bonus: Purist makes three different types of lids that are interchangeable between their different thermoses. We like the Scope Top because it allows us to pour water into our son鈥檚 bottles without spilling or letting much heat escape in the process.

A Cooler to Tote Baby鈥檚 Milk

Yeti Hopper Flip 12

I know I鈥檓 probably preaching to the converted, but you just can鈥檛 beat a Yeti cooler when it comes to keeping drinks and food chilled. When I needed a reliable way to keep pumped breast milk cold on the go, this is the cooler I reached for. Any mom knows that breastmilk is liquid gold and you simply do not mess around when it comes to storing it properly to ensure not a drop goes to waste. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 put me at ease.

It reliably kept its contents cool with two ice packs when I left it in a parked car for six hours during a summer hike. Just two gripes: The leak-proof zipper is burly鈥攖oo burly to easily unzip with one hand (and moms often only have one hand free). And like all of Yeti鈥檚 products, it鈥檚 crazy expensive. But you do get what you pay for: superior cooling and a bombroof design. If you just need a soft cooler to store a few bottles of breastmilk, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is overkill鈥擨鈥檇 size down to the Hopper Flip 8, which would be less bulky to tote around. But if you also want a cooler that will fit snacks for you, baby bottles, and potentially even your breast pump parts, the Hopper Flip 12 is a good size.

A Folding Seat for Trailside Pitstops

Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 Original Chair

We’ve owned a version of this Crazy Creek chair for more than ten years and it’s been a staple for camping trips and lawn concerts. Now, it lives in the storage basket of our Thule Urban Glide stroller for trailside pitstops with baby.

There’s a lot to love about this portable chair, from its simple, lightweight design that rolls up for compact storage to its adjustable straps that make dialing in your optimal reclining position a cinch. I’ve used it many times to nurse our son along the trail, and even for emergency diaper changes鈥攕imply unclip the straps to unfold the chair into a flat mat. It’s not the most comfortable of Crazy Creek’s folding chair options, but it is the most lightweight and packable, making it a winning choice for moms on the go.

A Versatile Picnic Blanket

Coalatree Kachula Blanket

My mother-in-law gifted this versatile blanket to us right after our son was born and it’s become our go-to for outdoor picnics and playtime. Coalatree bills the Kachula as “the Swiss army knife of blankets,” an apt description for this blanket that can be converted into an emergency poncho via an attachable hood and pack into itself to become a travel pillow. Fully unfolded, it measures 50-by-72-inches, making it plenty big for two adults and a baby to sprawl out on.

I love that the top fabric (made from fully recycled materials) is a soft brushed nylon flannel that doesn’t irritate baby’s sensitive skin when he’s rolling around in just his diaper. It’s also water resistant, so you don’t have to stress about spilled liquids or baby accidents. My one gripe: the ripstop nylon bottom of the blanket is great for resisting snags, but it’s prone to sliding around on grassy hillsides.

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It鈥檚 crunch time, folks. Time to order those last-minute presents and get everything wrapped and under the tree. To help you finish strong, I鈥檝e put together a list of smaller, but still amazing gifts that any adventurer on your list will be very happy to receive on Christmas morning.

Ciele Athletic FLTCap WND Hat ($65)

Running headwear can be complicated. Hat or beanie? Make the wrong choice and your run could suck (I hate cold ears or an overheated head). That鈥檚 why I love this new breathable running cap that has fold-down fleece flaps for your ears when temps drop. It鈥檚 the only hat I need, no matter the day or activity, from October through April. That, and it looks slick thanks to the Ciele鈥檚 low-profile design. As Jerry Seinfeld said, “There’s no hat that makes a statement quite like the hat with the flaps.”

Darn Tough Heady Stripe Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock ($24)

I started wearing these socks on the recommendation of my car mechanic. He spends 10 hours a day on his feet, often in the bitter cold or stifling heat, and has to wear Gore-Tex boots because he鈥檚 constantly getting drenched in oil or other liquids. But in these socks, he said his feet are always regulated, never blistered, and not too stinky. The wool breathes in the summer and adds warmth in the winter. Thanks to just the right blend of merino, nylon, and spandex, I鈥檝e also found them to be the most comfortable everyday socks I鈥檝e ever worn.

Atech Innovaton AirTag Multitool 4-in-1 Lite ($30)

Those of us who lead busy lives will someday misplace our keys. You鈥檝e probably already done it. When it happens鈥攁t the park, at work, in a store, wherever鈥攊t鈥檚 damn nice to have an Apple AirTag connected to your key ring so you can immediately find where the lost keys are hiding. When your keys are with you, it鈥檚 also nice to have this AirTag holder on your keyring double as a handy multi-tool with a built-in 10mm hex wrench, bottle opener, and Phillips driver.

Nordic Pocket Saw ($50)

Have a friend who likes to overland or backpack? This is their ultimate stocking stuffer. At just 4.7 ounces, the Nordic saw weighs next to nothing so it鈥檚 easy to stick in a backpack and handy when you want to saw a larger log for firewood. It also fits easily into the door panel pocket of any car, standing by for when you need to saw a tree that鈥檚 fallen across the backcountry road you鈥檙e trying to climb. The chainsaw chain is sharp and durable, and once it wears down, it can be sharpened to extend its life.

Rab Khroma Tour Gore-Tex Gloves ($150)

The best skiing gloves balance two things: warmth and dexterity. You want your hands to be toasty no matter what, but you also want to adjust your ski boots or unzip your backpack without exposing your hands to the cold. Rab nailed that balance by using external seams,which make the gloves more dexterous, and relying on PrimaLoft Gold Active+ insulation, which has an extremely high weight-to-warmth ratio. A Gore-Tex liner keeps your mitts dry, and a tough leather build will put up with years of abuse.

The post All I Want for Christmas Is a Running Hat with Ear Flaps appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Some of the best gifts are ephemeral. They鈥檙e meant to be enjoyed for one very important moment: a beautiful cake, a vacation, tickets to a concert. Other gifts, however, are intended to stick around. These gifts will get used hundreds, if not thousands, of times and eventually develop their own unique patina. These gifts may also last long enough to be passed on, so that they鈥檙e not only enjoyed by one person, but by many. I love gifts with staying power. Below you鈥檒l find seven of my favorites.

Classic Jackets

The reason Patagonia sells thousands and thousands of and jackets, and always will for decades to come, is because they landed on an iconic design that鈥檚 timeless. The anorak cut of the Snap-T and the fluffy fleece of the Retro scream cozy and comfortable, which are the characteristics we want most from a warm jacket. Patagonia, as a company, is also so imbued with heritage that your jacket recipient will love being associated with them for the years, even decades, they wear the fleece.

Leather Boots

A good pair of will set you back several hundred dollars so your recipient needs to be someone special. But your investment will give them something that will last a lifetime, and beyond. I inherited a pair of Red Wing boots from my dad that were in rough shape, but I have so many good memories of him wearing those boots that I wouldn鈥檛 want them any other way than worn in. I also have my own pair of boots I鈥檝e worn so many times they now fit like a glove, and with any luck I can pass them on to my son, too.

Camp Stove

How many of your parents still have the green Coleman stove they bought 20 or 30 years ago and continue using it every time they camp? Today鈥檚 Coleman stoves, as well as many other basic two-burner stoves, have improved over those decades-old models, but they鈥檙e just as bombproof. If you gift your friend or family member one of these stoves, you benefit, too, because they will undoubtedly use it to brew you coffee in the morning and cook up an amazing dinner at night when you head out into the woods together.

Folding Knife

Knives are very personal things so they can be hard to gift. But the from Benchmade is a great all-around model with a huge audience. It can be used as an everyday carry knife that slices through boxes and salami. It鈥檚 also beefy enough to help a hunter on your list butcher a large animal (thus the name, Taggedout). Made from high-quality steel, the blade retains an edge but is also easy to sharpen. If your giftee doesn鈥檛 hunt, a more affordable but also gorgeous knife is the from The James Brand. It鈥檚 smaller and not as strong, but still has the chops to cut through anything from fishing line to a rare steak.

Nalgene Bottle

Nalgene bottles continue to be popular because they鈥檙e so light, cheap, and indestructible. Like leather boots, are also great because they develop a patina over their lifetime. That patina could be a long scratch when you dropped it on a grueling hike, or it could be a sticker from a beautiful place you visited on vacation. Nalgenes are easy to replace, but I mourned when I lost the Nalgene I had for the past 10 years because it had been nearly everywhere with me, and showed it, but still functioned as well as it did when new.

Great Book

Somewhere around age 60 my dad decided that he wasn鈥檛 going to read any new books. He had no use for The New York Times鈥� 鈥�100 Best Books of the Year鈥� article because he鈥檇 read so many good books over his lifetime that he wanted to go back and revisit. His library was full of the type of books that make great gifts for their lasting stories. If I were picking books that one could read and then reread again with the same excitement five years later, would be at the top of that list. This book is an 国产吃瓜黑料 favorite, and for good reason, because it鈥檚 a phenomenally written piece of journalism that weaves history and adventure together in a way that鈥檚 unmatched in my opinion. Your giftee will be rapt the entire time and want to book a trip down the Grand Canyon as soon as they can get their hands on a permit.

Hardy Plant

Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! With a little water and light, plants give back constantly by growing, flowering, and making your living space that much friendlier (and for some varieties, even cleaner). Consider a jade or geranium because both are easy-going plants that grow fast and are not too picky, so they stay alive if you forget a few waterings. That, and when your friend grows those plants into monstrosities they can give you cuttings that will brighten your home, too.

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I bought my first tin camping mug from a gift shop in Yosemite Valley at the end of my first-ever car camping trip. I was a senior in college and traded the U.C. Santa Barbara Halloween party scene for a fall weekend in the trees. From the moment I picked up that blue mug with its white speckles off the shelf, I loved everything it represented: the experience I鈥檇 had that weekend breathing in the pine trees and campfire smoke, the crisp air and fluttering aspen trees, the massive granite walls and flowing rivers. I was in love鈥攚ith the mountains, with camping, with my new mug.

I used that mug the rest of college. I鈥檇 fill it with my morning Grape Nuts and sit on the deck or couch chomping away, dreaming of how the low-in-the-sky fall sun lit up the wheat-colored Valley floor dotted with dark green pines. Every time I used it, I鈥檇 be reminded of the camping trip I鈥檇 had, and the many, many more I wanted to do. That mug signified adventure. Multiple moves, roommates, and life changes later, I don鈥檛 know what happened to my Yosemite mug, but any camping mug has (almost) the same effect, calling to me with the promise of a weekend in the woods.

With that promise in mind, here鈥檚 a gift idea for someone on your list: an empty cup. But not just any old empty cup. A camping mug (like the ) that鈥檚 lightweight, durable, ready for hot cocoa, coffee, granola, or whiskey鈥攁nd overflowing with the idea of an unforgettable outdoor experience. Up your game by nabbing a summer car camping reservation (many book six months out, to the day), print it out, and stick it in the mug. Or fill the mug with a backpacking permit, or a laminated topographic map of the trails that lead from a campground. Voila鈥攜ou鈥檝e given the gift of daydreaming about summer camping in the middle of winter. You鈥檝e given the gift of adventure.

Give an Empty Case

A couple of years ago, a friend organized a group of us to celebrate her birthday rafting down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Leading up to the trip, she sent us each a bag and a copy of . (She is a very thoughtful friend.) The dry storage bag was large enough for a phone or camera and attached via Velcro strap to anything鈥攁 rope on a raft, the handle of a larger dry bag, the loop on a Nalgene bottle.

That dry bag represented adventure to be had, served as crafty functionality on that trip, and has kept my phone safe and dry on subsequent river trips, paddle board sessions, and more water-based adventures since.

For watermen and women on your list, consider the gift of a watertight bag or case of some sort. Fill it with a promise of SUP, raft, canoe, or kayak outings, or other splashy fun come spring.

Give an Empty Bag

For the person on your list who is perhaps tired of their regular gym routine, or could simply benefit from a new activity, a chalk bag can signify a winter of rock climbing indoors and all the strength training, ninja-esque playfulness that comes with it. And if you live somewhere climbing can take place outdoors in the winter, all the better. If not, climbing indoors through winter makes for great climbing outdoors come spring and summer.

Fill a chalk bag with鈥halk, or with a punch card to the local climbing or bouldering gym. Or, write a sweet note promising to belay your partner, child, or friend on the rock or plastic wall inside or out.

These little gifts鈥攁 mug, a drybag, a chalk bag鈥攃arry big meaning and give your friend/family/loved one/adventure partner a whole lot more than something tangible. And can you really put a price on adventure?

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Not to be all Scroogy, but I鈥檓 buying fewer gifts this holiday season. It鈥檚 not about the money, it’s because . And, really, how many pairs of Christmas pajamas does a person need? (I love you, mom, but I鈥檓 talking to you.) The average American will spend on winter holiday shopping this year, up $42 from last year.

But I鈥檓 no Grinch鈥攊nstead of buying gifts this year, I鈥檓 making many of them myself. I love giving thoughtful presents to my friends and family.听But lately I鈥檝e been trying to think creatively about the presents I give. I try to think and plan ahead, and I invest time and energy (and love!) into my gifts so I don鈥檛 need to scramble on Amazon for my sister-in-law’s birthday. So far, nobody鈥檚 complaining (at least to my face).

Here are some of my favorite homemade eco-friendly holiday gift ideas (and stocking stuffers). I hope they inspire you to rethink your gifting plans this season.

5 Eco-Friendly Holiday Gifts You Can Make at Home

Cutting Board From a Downed Tree

A few months back I asked readers听to stop using plastic cutting boards because they release microplastics into our food. And then it dawned on me that a nice wood board would be the perfect holiday gift for several people on my list.

Maple, cherry, walnut, paulownia are all good options for cutting surfaces. If you see a downed tree, show up with your chainsaw听and ask for a slice or two! You can also try sourcing 鈥渢ree cookies鈥� or 鈥渢ree discs鈥� from local arborists, craft shops, or of course online.

Be sure to let the wood dry out for several weeks after cutting, then sand it smooth, and apply mineral oil. That鈥檚 it!

2-Ingredient Non-Toxic Spray Cleaner

OK, it might feel a bit utilitarian to gift a bottle of kitchen cleaner, but if you have any environmentalists on your list, they鈥檒l appreciate the conceit, especially if you tell them all the reasons to love it. First, this stuff works great on just about anything鈥揷ounters, floors, tables, toilets. Second, it鈥檚 free of chemicals and toxins, unlike most of the stuff we use. Third, it reduces food waste and gives you a reason to eat some oranges.

I learned this hack from Armen Adamjan,听my favorite sustainability Tik Tokker. Simply place orange peels in a mason jar of white vinegar and let it steep for two weeks in a dark place. Then strain it into a spray bottle. I found the above cool glass one in a second hand shop.

Update: I’ve been playing around with other ingredients. I love subbing grapefruit peels for orange and my recent Christmas tree spray is my new favorite.

Hot Pepper Apple Jelly

My obsession with hot pepper jellies started a few years back when my garden was cranking out jalape帽os. I tried several recipes and found my all-time favorite after a neighbor invited me to pick apples from his orchard this fall. The jelly is slightly sweet and tangy with a good kick of heat. Here鈥檚 that inspired me.

You鈥檒l need a bunch of apples and hot peppers (any kind you like), plus sugar and a packet of liquid pectin. First you make apple juice, which is easier than it sounds. Just boil the apples in some water, mash, and strain them through cheesecloth a few times until you have a gorgeous clear liquid. Add the sugar and peppers and bring to a boil, then stir in the pectin. Spoon a bit of jelly onto a chilled plate and pop it in the freezer to make sure it will set. If it jiggles after a few minutes, you鈥檙e good to go. If it鈥檚 runny, keep boiling until it thickens.

You can preserve the jelly in a water bath to make it shelf staple, or just gift it as is and tell the recipient to refrigerate. This stuff is addictive on so many things: crackers, cheese, avocado toast, any type of sandwich, and grilled fish to name a few. Anyone on your list will adore it, guaranteed.

Festive Hot Chocolate Mix

Kids love this one. In a one-pint wide mouth mason jar, layer the following ingredients in this order: 陆 cup coconut sugar, 陆 cup good unsweetened cocoa powder, about 20 peppermint candies (crushed), 录 cup chocolate chips, and mini- marshmallows to the rim (about 录 cup). This is enough for about 5 servings; double it in a quart-sized jar if you like.

Make a tag with cooking instructions: shake well and combine 2 tablespoons of mix with 8 ounces of hot milk. Another great idea to round out the gift: Include a thrifted holiday mug (my local thrift stores always have them).

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Here鈥檚 a thoughtful eco-friendly holiday gift for the bakers on your list. There鈥檚 nothing like homemade vanilla extract, and this recipe takes just a minute to make. All you need is a couple ounces of vodka or bourbon, some vanilla beans, and a jar. (Thrift shops have the best jars!) Split open a bean or two and then pop them into the bottle and add the booze. I used just half of one bean (they鈥檙e pretty expensive) for a 3-ounce bottle; add more beans for bigger bottles or stronger vanilla flavor. The longer you can let it stew the better, but it will be ready to use in a few weeks.

An Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift for the Person Who Has Everything

What does your loved one听really care about? If it鈥檚 not another flannel shirt, find a related charity and make a donation in their name. If you need some inspiration, our Find Your Good program supports 14 nonprofits committed to protecting the planet and getting more people outside. You can learn more about the work they do and make a donation in just a few clicks .

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and鈥攜es鈥攚ealthier. 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Head of Sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

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Bajio Toads ($209)

These shades were not only the most environmentally friendly pick from our 2024 Winter Gear Guide testing, but also cut the glare best, too. Despite their relatively large size, they fit most testers鈥� faces and stayed put, which was helpful when bending over to pick up luggage or balancing a passport in one hand and a toddler in the other.

Read the Full Review.

Minus33 Women鈥檚 Long-Sleeve Henley ($90)

Testers wore this 100 percent merino henley for days during the review period thanks to its odor-fighting properties, next-to-skin comfort, and good looks. We especially liked the flat seams for carrying heavy packs without chafing.

Read the Full Review.

Roark Layover Pants Women鈥檚 ($95)

These are some of the most versatile pants we tested this year. Not only are they durable, fighting off backcountry branches and beer with equal aplomb, but they offer incredible security, thanks to deep, zippered front pockets, and snap ones at the back. Plus, the mid-rise waist and straight leg fit looked good on a variety of body types.

Read the Full Review.

Xtratuf Ankle Deck Boot Ice Nylon Six Inch ($175)

If you have someone on your list that prizes comfort and warmth above all else, look no further. These might not be the most stylish boots鈥攄epending on one鈥檚 fashion sense, of course鈥攂ut they provide superior grip on wet, icy surfaces and will keep your feet warm in frigid temperatures.

Read the Full Review.

Backcountry All Around Duffel ($139)

Duffels are often a haphazard mess of gear with little to no organization. That鈥檚 not the case here鈥攏ot only are there numerous mesh pockets throughout for stashing smaller items, there鈥檚 even a dry pocket on the end to keep your sweaty and wet gear away from your dry stuff. Genius.

Read the Full Review.

Rux Waterproof Bag 25L ($150)

Any outdoors-person would be grateful to receive this smart waterproof bag for keeping dry gear dry, or wet gear separated from other items. It has enough structure to pack like a box, according to one of our testers, but carries and looks like a tote.

Read the Full Review.

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